‘A Tree for a Child’ program creates a future for at risk children in Indonesia through a sustainable education and reforestation program

Accor validates its commitment for sustainable environment protection and poverty alleviation through ‘A Tree for a Child’ (ATFAC) program


‘A Tree for a Child’ program creates a future for at risk children in Indonesia through a sustainable education and reforestation program

Jakarta, Indonesia – Accor, the largest international operator of hotels in Indonesia and Asia Pacific, today re affirms its commitment to sustainable social and environment improvements through it’s “A Tree for a Child” (ATFAC) program. Established by Accor and the foundation Yayasan Peduli Tunas Bangsa in 2001, the program has the dual goals of alleviating poverty and protecting the environment through four major pillars: education, healthcare, nutrition and reforestation. Today the company, with assistance from its top executives and guests, has helped raised more than 3 billion Rupiah which helps to provide health care and scholarships for ‘at risk’ children helping to disrupt the cycle of poverty, to reforest land in central java and provide needed work to local farmers.

Gerard Guillouet – Vice President Accor Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore says: “Accor has been consistently present in Indonesia since 1993 and has developed a network of 40 hotels across 18 cities throughout the country. In line with our role as the leader in Indonesia’s hospitality industry, we also take a leadership position in Corporate and Social Responsibility focusing on children and the environment as these are two of Indonesia’s most valuable assets.”

Gerard Guillouet was the mastermind behind the company’s ATFAC program which sponsors education and health care for impoverished children in Jakarta for their education, whilst providing a support mechanism to families to help keep this at risk group of children in school. Beyond this, the program is a virtuous circle with a sustainable environmental element that is helping to reforest land in central Java and providing work for local farmers. Accor has planted trees to sustain the program well into the future and through this, the program derived it’s name ‘A Tree for a Child’.

Accor also welcomes all philanthropist companies or individuals to visit www.atfac.org to find more information about the program and encourage them to participate.

The plantation project has been most successful with 70 hectares of land reforested and over 100,000 commercially viable Sengon Trees planted and jobs created for 150 local villagers. The plantation is a collaborative Forest Management Program with the Indonesia Ministry of Forestry, CIRAD and CIFOR in Central Java. After eight years the trees are to be harvested and the income is split as follows:

 40% for the Perum Perhutani forestry company
 30% for the village farmers
 30% for the Yayasan Peduli Tunas Bangsa Foundation (A Tree for a Child), which re-invests it into the education program

The state forest company Perum Perhutani makes government land available to the local farmers, who provide the manual labour to work the land and benefit from intercropping. Accor pays for the plants used and monitors the project.

The 30% that is returned to the Yayasan Peduli Tunas Bangsa Foundation is used to support local education opportunities for children between the ages of 10 and 16 years. Fundamentally this program keeps kids in school, supports their learning both at school and through the foundation’s education centre as well as ensuring ongoing health and nutrition. Each year the Foundation provides educational scholarships and support for tens of children.

Since 2001 hundreds of children have had access to two education centres built and operated by the Foundation (in Jakarta and Semarang). These centres provide a medical service, daily meals, libraries and classrooms with access to Computer and English-language tutoring for the supported children. Tutoring is also provided to secondary or vocational ages and Accor provides an invitation for program beneficiaries of employment for graduates through its hotels.

Taru J. Wisnu, Poverty Reduction Unit, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Indonesia, said, “The strong commitment of Indonesia to achieving the Millennium Development Goals is demonstrated by the country’s solid progress on eradicating extreme poverty and achieving universal basic education. Although progress on achieving these goals are on track, global economic turbulence and climate change threaten to obstruct or even reverse the concerted efforts of many stakeholders that have made significant progress on poverty reduction.”

“With approximately 32 million still living under the national poverty line, the volatile and threatening landscape calls for greater social responsibility and action to ensure that vulnerable populations have more opportunities to bring themselves out of poverty and lead empowered lives. Increased collaboration with more responsible actors of society, through Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives of the private sector and stronger partnerships with other organisations, is necessary to strengthen poverty alleviation efforts for the welfare of millions around the country. UNDP promotes local and global partnerships for development, and works closely with government and partners for poverty reduction.”

Mr Guillouet says: “A Tree for a Child Program’ is a CSR initiative that engages many facets of our business in Indonesia including our employees, our guests and partners. We are very proud of our accomplishments that the program has achieved to date and are committed to. The program is making a tangible difference to communities in Jakarta and Semarang.”

Accor has recently completed a scorecard on the A Tree for a Child project to gain visibility and have structured measurement to the program. This Scorecard applies measurements of impact on community, employees and Accor. Updated annually the scorecard aspect of the program ensures continued effectiveness and that the ATFAC is achieving the objectives for which it was designed.

Ade Noerwenda, Human Resources Director, Accor Malaysia-Indonesia-Singapore, who is instrumental in ATFAC Indonesia says, “Accor’s employs a dedicated full-time Social Coordinator and an Assistant to maintain regular contact with all stakeholders and to monitor the program regularly ensure effectiveness of the program. Funds for ATFAC are raised through the sale of recyclable items and merchandise (available through all Accor’s Indonesian hotels), personal donations from employees and guests, contributions from activities such as an annual golf tournament. In this way the actions of guests and employees at the hotels directly contribute to the program while reinforcing the environmental commitment.”

This year, Accor will start building a new ATFAC Centre in Bali. The centre will provide a clinic, sports field, library and classrooms with access to computers, English-language courses and agriculture training.

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